7 Popular Knee Braces and Supports That Will Help You

Whether you are a young athlete or you are simply getting older, your knees will take the brunt of the force needed to walk.

The more active you are, the higher chance of an injury occurring. A simple task, such as going down the stairs, can often lead to pain and discomfort.

When going down the stairs, your knees will need to support a weight equal to four times your body weight due to shock. Without proper support, an injury can leave you with less mobility, or worse, in severe pain.

We have compiled a list of the top 7 braces on the market. These are the braces that others have purchased so often that they are deemed best sellers. Let’s take a look at these braces and supports starting with the highest selling brace first.

Want to skip the detailed reviews and go straight to the list? Check it out:

An amazing grid-textured nylon sleeve. The Mcdavid Extended Compression Leg Sleeve not only helps with pain, but this sleeve acts as a full leg support. Coming in sizes small to XXL, the Mcdavid will fit users of all sizes and is rather comfortable.

Compression is apparent thanks to the 80/20 mix of nylon and spandex. This one is very popular among sports athletes in particular basketball players.

Over 300 users give this support a 4.5 stars.

The product is mainly meant to protect a person’s knee when it is hit, but the compression also promotes healing and will reduce swelling greatly.

Mueller is known for their braces and supports. The Mueller Jumper’s Knee Strap is extremely affordable and comes backed with 700+ 4.5 star reviews. This brace is meant for jumper’s knee or runner’s knee and supports the cap from going out of place.

This is meant to stop tracking and elevation often seen with Chondromalacia and Patellar Tendonitis.

This strap comes in multiple packs, but there are single pack options available as well. This is a one-size solution where users simply pull the strap to make it tighter.

The one thing that users really like about this product, besides its amazing ability to reduce pain, is that it is so small and comfortable. You can wear this support under your pants and no one will notice. By applying pressure to the tendon right under the cap, this brace is perfect for tracking and elevation issues, but not other forms of injuries.

A complete pair of knee sleeves. These sleeves are meant for both men and women and are ideal when trying to immobilize the knee when running, playing basketball or weightlifting. 161 consumers rate these sleeves a 4 star and recommend it to all buyers.

They come in a myriad of colors and sizes and fit tightly even after washing. These sleeves use:

High performance fabric

Compression technology to promote faster healing

Full range of motion is present at all times and the material is made from anti-odor fabric. This means sweating will not leave a nasty odor behind.

McDavid’s second brace on the list. The Hexpad is great because it can be used on the knee, elbow or even shines. There is support given through the use of pads. The best part is that the tight fit reduces swelling and adds support when you need it most.

This brace has been rated an average of 4 stars by 250 customers and comes in over a dozen colors. This is great for the fashion-conscious sports player that doesn’t want to worry about how their brace looks when on the field.

This support is made from Nylon and comes in sizes XS – XXL. Users should note that the design of this brace is meant for:

Football

Lacrosse

The manufacturer specifically mentions that this is not a support for court sports, such as basketball. If you are a basketball player, there are other alternatives listed above that will do the job.

Video – 10 Best Physio Exercises to Ease Knee Pain

The Ultimate Buyers Guide to Knee Braces

Knee problems are one of the most common problems people suffer. Knees are some of the most vulnerable places in our bodies, since they constantly take the brunt weight of our daily movements. Knee injuries are likely to occur in athletes and highly active people.

They are also very common among older people, whose knees have simply worn out over time. Knee injuries can stem from high intensity activities like sports and running, or they can be injured due to weight problems or age. Regardless of the source of your knee problem, a knee brace is designed to help support your knee and keep it as strong as possible.

A knee brace can be used to help heal an injury, or it can be used more regularly for preventative reasons if you are prone to knee injuries.

Knee braces come in many different shapes and sizes depending on the individual’s needs. A knee brace can help with arthritis, muscle problems, acute injuries, and even chronic knee pains. Because knee brace use is widely applicable, there are many options on the market designed for different people’s needs.

What Makes a Good Knee Brace?

Since knee braces come in such a wide variety, it is difficult to pin down universal basic features that make a good knee brace. Depending on your needs, you will want to look for specific qualities that make one particular style of knee brace good for you. However, there are some shared qualities that you should look for.

The first thing you want out of your knee brace is good support. Without a properly designed support system, a knee brace is next to useless. If a knee brace is poorly designed or made with very low quality materials, it may not deliver the results you need. This does not necessarily mean that less materials means lower quality.

Some knee braces are as simple as a strap that sits below your kneecap, and are very effective. Other knee braces are designed to encase entire sections of your leg. So while size does not indicate whether a knee brace is high quality or not, the materials used and the support they provide do.

Comfort is another important factor in a good quality knee brace. Since knee braces are designed to be worn during relaxed or strenuous activity, your knee brace should not limit you to certain activities based on comfort.

You should avoid knee braces that will cause chafing or don’t fit properly. Not only can this reduce their effectiveness, it will also make the whole experience uncomfortable.

Finally, it is always good to have a knee brace that offers discretion. Depending on the severity of your knee injury, hiding the product under your clothes is not always an option. However, if your injury is less severe, it can be highly advantageous to go for a knee brace that will fit comfortably under clothes and still be effective.

What to Stay Away From

Since knee braces are so common, it is very important to recognize red flags when choosing a knee brace that’s right for you. If a knee brace does not offer enough support to your muscles, it might be very comfortable, but highly ineffective.

Watch out for knee braces that are made with low quality materials, since they might cause more damage than good, and will likely wear out faster when subject to strenuous activity.

It is also important to understand your needs for a knee brace. Don’t purchase a heavy duty knee brace if you are simply looking for light support during soccer games. Alternatively, if you have an acute or serious knee injury, make sure you are choosing a knee brace that can provide the high level of support you need.

How Does a Knee Brace Work?

Different knee braces work in different ways. Some knee braces are designed to work somewhat like a cast. They provide very sturdy support and limit the amount of weight on your knee as much as possible to promote healing. These knee braces are typically used for people who have already injured their knee.

Other knee braces work slightly differently. Lightweight knee braces are designed to help less severe knee problems. For example, if you have weak knees but tend to play a lot of high intensity sports, a lightweight knee brace can help provide extra support to your knees in order to avoid injury.

In both cases, the purpose of a knee brace is keep weight off your knee.

For those with injuries, keeping weight off the knee is the best way to allow the knee to heal. This is especially important because of how much we rely on our legs to get around.

When a wheelchair is overkill, but doing nothing can cause further damage, a knee brace is the ideal option. For those who simply need a little extra support for their knees to keep up with activities, lightweight knee braces work in a similar way.

By supporting certain areas of the leg and/or knee, the knee is subject to less weight and pressure. As a result, your knee is less prone to injury.

Benefits of a Knee Brace

The benefits of a knee brace are twofold. For those suffering from a knee injury, a knee brace has the benefit of helping your knee heal properly. Without the support of a knee brace, your injury can take a long time to heal, or even get significantly worse.

For those who have not injured their knees but require extra support, a knee brace is the easiest way to prevent an injury from occurring. This is hugely beneficial because it allows you continue doing the things you love without worrying about a knee injury.

FAQ 1: Do I Need a Prescription for a Knee Brace?

No. Once you have seen a healthcare professional about your knee injury or knee concerns, you are free to pick up a knee brace without a prescription.

FAQ 2: What Knee Brace Should I Use?

The right knee brace depends on your needs. It is always best to seek the advice of a healthcare professional who can determine what kind of knee brace is best for you.

Typically, a lightweight knee brace is best for people looking for extra support, while heavier knee braces are necessary for those with injuries.

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